Rainn Wilson On How Hard Was It To Film ‘The Office’ After Steve Carell Left the Show

Rainn Wilson, known for playing Dwight Schrute in The Office, recently shared how challenging things got after Steve Carell left the show in 2011. Speaking on the “Good Guys” podcast with Josh Peck and Ben Soffer, Wilson explained that Carell’s departure created a void that was hard to fill. Carell played Michael Scott, the quirky boss who drove much of the show’s humor, for seven seasons from 2005 to 2011.

Wilson said the cast and crew struggled to find the show’s rhythm without its main star. The tone shifted, and figuring out who would lead the storylines became a problem. “Michael Scott was the heart of the comedy,” Wilson noted, adding that keeping the show’s spark alive was tough after Carell left. The Office ran for two more seasons, wrapping up in 2013, with Carell making a brief return for the finale, which touched fans’ hearts.

Carell’s exit wasn’t a shock, according to Wilson. By 2011, Carell was already a big name in Hollywood, starring in major films like Get Smart and Crazy, Stupid, Love. His growing movie career made leaving the show a natural step. Wilson pointed out that Carell was landing roles in blockbuster comedies shown in thousands of theaters, so moving on made sense.

Despite never winning an Emmy, Carell earned six nominations for his role as Michael Scott and gained widespread praise. After leaving, he continued to shine in movies like Despicable Me and The Way Way Back.

Meanwhile, fans of The Office have something new to look forward to. A spin-off called The Paper is set to debut on Peacock in September 2025. This mockumentary-style comedy, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, is set in the same universe as The Office. It follows a documentary crew tracking The Truth Teller, a struggling newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, as it tries to revive itself with volunteer reporters. The cast includes Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Oscar Nuñez, who reprises his role as Oscar Martinez from the original show. Filming started in July 2024.

The Office was never quite the same without Steve Carell, and Wilson’s comments highlight how much a single character can shape a show’s success. It’s understandable that Carell moved on to bigger opportunities, but it’s also a reminder of how tricky it is to keep a show fresh after losing its core. The Paper sounds like an exciting chance to revisit this world, but it’ll have big shoes to fill. What do you think about The Office post-Carell and the upcoming spin-off? Share your thoughts in the comments below!